Conserving Geodiversity Sites in a Changing Climate: Management Challenges and Responses

Abstract

Climate change, and the human responses to it, represents a serious threat to the natural environment. While the impacts of climate change are now well recognised for biodiversity, little attention has been given to the effects on geodiversity and its conservation. Set in the context of current projections for climate change in the UK, this paper examines some of the likely impacts of climate change, and the human responses to it, on a wide range of geodiversity features and sites. It identifies the conservation management challenges that are likely to arise, proposes responses to these challenges and highlights areas where more evidence is required in order to inform the decisionmaking and management responses that will be needed. It suggests that all types of geodiversity site will be impacted to some extent by changes in active processes. Sites located on the coast, adjacent to rivers or on active slopes, and the associated geomorphological processes, are most likely to experience the greatest changes, particularly from sea-level rise, increased erosion or flooding. The human responses to these changes, in the form of 'hard' coastal protection or river and slope engineering are, however, likely to have the greatest impact on geodiversity. Whilst climate change will pose many challenges to the conservation of geodiversity, it will also generate new opportunities. Principles and guidance to facilitate the management of geodiversity in a changing climate are now required to inform wider adaptation strategies that address the needs of geodiversity alongside those of biodiversity and society more widely.

Engaging with geodiversity—why it matters

“…Successful adaptation to climate change and related flooding, landslides and sea-level rise will require an understanding of geodiversity, and particularly the way that geomorphological processes respond to these changes (Newson and Large, 2006;Orford and Pethick, 2006;Cooper and McKenna, 2008;Delta Committee, 2008;Winter et al, 2008;Prosser et al, 2010). For example, ecosystem resilience, sensitivity and responses to climate change and sea-level rise are conditioned by geomorphology and soils, including changes in the stability/instability of landforms, fluxes of sediment and water and the properties of the geological substrate and soil (Gordon et al, 1998;Hansom and Angus, 2001;Pethick, 2001;Jonasson et al, 2005;Morrocco, 2005).…”

“…An important challenge is to draw this knowledge together systematically, incorporating geomorphological and ecological resilience and sensitivity, to help inform ecosystem management and legislative and regulatory decisions relating to climate change, flooding and sea-level rise. The particular management challenges of adapting to climate change will require working with governments, planners, decision makers and local communities to ensure that geodiversity interests are managed sustainably as part of longterm, integrated, adaptation strategies informed by robust evidence provided by the academic community (Prosser et al, 2010).…”

Antarctic geoconservation: a review of current systems and practices

“…These issues are not unique to Antarctic geoconservation (JNCC 1997;Ellis et al 1996;Prosser et al 2006;Houshold & Sharples 2008;Prosser 2013) and may benefit from further consideration by the Antarctic geological community, including input from SCAR through the Action Group on Geological Heritage and Geoconservation. An additional factor worth consideration is the potential impact of climate change on geodiversity and the associated opportunities for geoconservation (Prosser et al 2010). Although large Antarctic geological collections may be available for research and educational purposes, little evidence is available to show how well geological material already collected within geological specimen depositories and collections is used by the international geological community.…”

Analysis on spatial distribution characteristics and geographical factors of Chinese National Geoparks

“…Susan [16] studied the Geoheritage and Geoparks in Australian by virtue of female point of view. With the climate change are now well recognised by many scholars, much attention havebeen given to the effects on geodiversity, geological heritage and its conservation [17][18][19][20].…”